Computing device

ABSTRACT

A cost-computing device for a fuel-dispensing system having a rotary pulser disc with a plurality of light apertures arranged in four pulser circles, a plurality of output heads, each having a photoelectric pickup, angularly spaced about the axis of the pulser disc for being operated by the light apertures on the pulser disc, and a rotary selector disc associated with each output head having a plurality of light apertures arranged in four selector circles for selectively activating the pulser circles for operating the respective pickup. The selector discs are connected by intermittent gearing in the manner of a counter such that a rotary input to the lowest order selector disc can be rotated to set the disc counter and thereby set the variator to establish a corresponding multiple place unit volume price. In an alternative embodiment six banks of coaxial selector drums are mounted on a selector plate to be selectively rotated to a control position in operative association with a rotary pulser drum to selectively activate the light aperture circles in the pulser drum to operate the photoelectric pickups.

United States Patent William F. Jones Wethersfield, Conn. 868,069

Oct. 21,1969

Oct. 12, 1971 Veeder Industries Inc. Hartford, Conn.

[72] Inventor [21 Appl. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee [54]COMPUTING DEVICE 30 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 235/92 FL,

235/92 R, 235/92 V, 235/15l.34, 340/347 PR 31] i C1 0 1 272 [50] Field01' Search 235/92 v,

92 FP, 92 UT, 151.34

Primary Examiner-Maynard R. Wilbur Assistant Examiner-Robert F. GnuseAtt0rneyPrutzman, Hayes, Kalb & Chilton ABSTRACT: A cost-computingdevice for a fuel-dispensing system having a rotary pulser disc with aplurality of light apertures arranged in four pulser circles, aplurality of output heads, each having a photoelectric pickup, angularlyspaced about the axis of the pulser disc for being operated by the lightapertures on the pulser disc, and a rotary selector disc associated witheach output head having a plurality of light apertures arranged in fourselector circles for selectively activating the pulser circles foroperating the respective pickup. The selector discs are connected byintermittent gearing in the manner of a counter such that a rotary inputto the lowest order selector disc can be rotated to set the disc counterand thereby set the variator to establish a corresponding multiple placeunit volume price. ln an alternative embodiment six banks of coaxialselector drums are mounted on a selector plate to be selectively rotatedto a control position in operative association with a rotary pulser drumto selectively activate the light aperture circles in the pulser drum tooperate the photoelectric pickups.

PRICE SETTING MECH.

PROPORTIONINC VALVE c TO NOZZLE PATENTEDUBH 2 I97l SHEEI 1 BF 3 6W PRICESETTING MECH.

PRO PORTIONING VALVE I INVENTOR.

TO WILLIAM F. JONES NOZZLE BY 7/ w ATTORNEYS PATENTED 001321971 3.612393 SHEET 30F 3 v. Ax

NQ mi NEH A @T \E 1 SQ g v at COMPUTING DEVICE- SUMMARY or THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to computingdevices having notable utilityin fuel-dispensing apparatus for computing the cost of the fueldispensed in accordance with the volumetric amount of fuel dispensed anda unit volume price established by the setting of the computing device.

It is a principal aim of the present invention to provide a new andimproved computing device for fluid-dispensing apparatus of the typeadapted for generating pulses for computing the total cost of the fluiddispensed and for establishing a unit volume price bv establishing thenumber of pulses generated for each unit volume of fluid dispensed. Forexample, the present invention may provide for generating fluid pulsesor electrical pulses for operating a suitable counter for computing thetotal cost of the fluid dispensed.

It is another aim of the present invention to provide a new and improvedvariator of the pulse generator type.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide new and improvedsetting means for a variator of the pulse generator type.

It is another aim of the present invention to provide a new and improvedvariator providing reliable operation and having a compact andeconomical construction.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a new andimproved variator for fluid-dispensing apparatus which may be readilyset to establish the unit volume price and which provides for postingthe established unit volume price.

It is a still further aim of the present invention to provide a new andimproved computing device for multiple-product fluid-dispensingapparatus.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more indetail hereinafter.

A better understanding of the invention will be obtained from thefollowing detailed description and the accompanying drawings ofillustrative applications of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a generally schematic view, partly broken away and partly insection, of a multiple-product fuel-dispensing system employing anembodiment of the computing device of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a transverse section view, partly in section, showing apulser disc of the computing device;

FIGS. 28 and 2C are transverse section views, partly in section, showingselector discs of the computing device;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section view, partly broken away andpartly in section, of the pulser disc and an output head of thecomputing device; and

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section view, partly broken away and partly insection, showing another embodiment of the computing device of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawingsin detail wherein like numerals represent like parts, and referringparticularly to FIGS. 1-3, a fuel-dispensing system incorporating anembodiment of a computing device of the present invention is showncomprising a pair of motor-driven pumps 12 for delivering separate fuelgrades to a dispensing nozzle (not shown) via a proportioning valve 14and a pair of meters 16 adapted for metering the individual fuel grades.The meter outputs are combined by a differential 20 to drive suitableblend gearing 24 in accordance with the total amount of fluid dispensed.The outputs of the blend gearing 24 and one of the meters 16 arecompared by a subtraction differential 26 to control the proportioningvalve 14 and thereby establish the proportion of each fuel grade inaccordance with the setting of the blend gearing 24.

The computing device comprises a variator 30 and a cost register 32operable by the variator to register the cost of the fuel delivered inaccordance with the unit volume price established by the variatorsetting. The cost register is preferably resettable for being reset tozero prior to the commencement of each fuel delivery in a conventionalmanner.

The variator 30 comprises a unitary rotor or pulser disc 34 driven bythe meters 16 through the differential 20 and suitable gearing 35 and aplurality of elongated radially extending output heads 36, 37, 38angularly spaced about the axis of rotation of the disc 34. An outputhead is provided for each of the three lowest places of the four-placeunit volume price range of the variator and is set in accordance withthe desired unit volume price. For example, if a three-place unit volumeprice of 32.9 (e.g. 32.9 cents per gallon) is to be established, thetenths or lowest place head 36 would be set at 9," the units or middleplace head 37 would be set at 2, and the tens or highest place head 38would be set at 3.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a bank of four radially aligned lamps 39-42are mounted in each output head 36-38 on one side of the pulser disc 34,and 15 light-transmitting apertures or pulse actuators 43 are providedon the disc 34 in four concentric pulse actuator circles 44-47 inalignment with the lamps 39-42 respectively. Three rotary pulse selectordiscs or masks 50-52 are mounted for rotation about the axes in linewith the three banks of radially aligned lamps to extend in overlappingrelationship with the pulser disc 34 and the respective bank of lamps.Fifteen light-transmitting apertures or pulse selectors 54 are arrangedon the tenths" and units" selector discs 50, 51 in four concentricselector circles 56-59 tangent to the pulse actuator circles 44-47respectively. The tens selector disc 52, however, has 32light-transmitting apertures or pulse selectors 54 arranged on its fourconcentric selector circles 56-59.

The pulse actuator circles 44-47 on the pulsing disc 34 have 1, 2, 4 and8 pulse actuators 43 respectively to provide assigned values for thepulse actuator circles of l, 2, 4 and 8 respectively. The pulseactuators 43 are positioned with equiangular spacing of 24 and theoutput heads 36-38 are angularly spaced so that only one pulse actuator43 appears in line with a lamp at any one time. For example, the outputheads 36-38 would have an angular spacing of such that one of the pulseactuators 43 would appear in line with one of the lamps each 8 ofrotation of the disc 34. Alternatively the pulse actuators 43 could beangularly spaced within a sector (for example a 75 sector) of the disc34 and the output heads 36-38 angularly spaced to provide for operatingthe heads in sequence with the pulse actuator sector.

A photoelectric pickup 70, which is preferably a single photoelectriccell as shown in FIG. 3, is provided in each output head in alignmentwith the corresponding bank of lamps 39-42 on the opposite side of thepulser disc 34 and the corresponding selector disc. Each photoelectricpickup is therefore positioned to be actuated by each pulse actuator 43on the pulser disc 34 to generate a train of spaced electrical pulses.The number of such pulses for each revolution of the pulser disc 34 mayvary from 0 through 15 depending upon which, if any, of the pulseactuator circles 44-47 are activated by the presence of a selectoraperture 54 in line with the corresponding lamp 39-42. Thus, where allfour of the pulse actuator circles 44-47 are activated for operating aparticular photoelectric pickup 70 (bv the presence of a selectoraperture 54 in line with each lamp 39-42) the pickup will generate 15electrical pulses for each revolution of the pulser disc 34.

The pulse selectors 54 are arranged on the selector discs 50-52 toprovide ten equiangularly spaced selector stations on the discs 50, 51successively representing Othrough 9 respectively as shown in FIG. 2Band to provide 16 equiangularly spaced selector stations on the disc 52successively representing 0 through 15 respectively as shown in FIG. 2C.Since the available single-revolution pulse range is 0 through IS, theselector disc 52 for the highest place output head 38 is provided with arange of 0 through 15 to provide for setting the unit volume price in aprice range of 000.0 to [59.9. Thus, in essence the pulse selectors 54on the aperture circles 56-59 in the discs 50-52 have values of l, 2, 4and 8 respectively and the pulse selectors 54 are arranged on theselector circles to give the value assigned to each selector station.The number of pulses generated by each pickup 70 for each revolution ofthe disc 34 therefore depends upon the angular setting of thecorresponding selector disc and corresponds to the total value of thepulse selectors 54 at the pickup station.

The discs 50-52 are shown positioned with their selector stations 9, 2"and 3 cooperating with the output heads 36-38 respectively. Assuch thedisc 50 has two selector apertures 54 aligned with the lamps 39, 42 foractivating the pulse actuator circles 44, 47 to operate the respectivephotoelectric pickup 70 to generate nine pulses for each revolution ofthe pulser disc 34. The discs 51 and 52 similarly provide for activatingthe pulse actuator circles to operate the respective pickups to generatetwo and three pulses respectively for each revolution of the pulser disc34.

In operation the tenths, units and tens" output heads 36-38 respectivelyare set by the selector discs 50-52 in accordance with the desired unitvolume price (prior to the commencement of the fuel delivery) and threeseparate pulse trains with noncoincident electrical pulses are generatedin the pickup output leads 80-82 during the delivery of fuel. In thedescribed embodiment, the gearing 35 preferably provides for rotatingthe pulser disc 34 one hundred revolutions for each unit volume (forwhich the fuel is priced) of fuel delivered (although for example thepulser disc 34 may be driven to rotate l revolutions for each unitvolume of fuel dispensed where a lower degree of accuracy is desired, ordriven to rotate 50 revolutions for each unit volume of fuel dispensedwhere twice as many light apertures are provided in each pulse actuatorcircle on the pulser disc 34) such that with a unit volume price settingof 32.9 cents per gallon, pulse trains of 900 pulses, 200 pulses and 300pulses would be generated by the three output heads 36-38 respectivelyfor each gallon of fuel dispensed.

The output leads 80-82 are connected to the register 32 for indexing theregister to record the total cost of fuel delivered in accordance withthe unit volume fuel price established by the variator setting. For thispurpose, the register 32 is provided with a suitable counter 84 which inthe shown embodiment has six decades 85-90 (of increasing order fromright to left as viewed in FIG. 1) suitably connected for generatingtransfers from adjacent lower to higher order decades. The output leads80-82 are connected by parallel entry to the three lowest order decades85-87 respectively and therefore in accordance with the relative valuesor weights of the corresponding places of the established multiple placeprice. Schmidtt triggers 94 and one-shot multivibrators 96 arepreferably provided in the input circuits to the decades 85-87 to formsuitable electrical pulses for avoiding miscounting or overcounting inthe operation of the counter 84.

In the described example with the variator set at a unit volume price of32.9, the tenths output head 36 will index the lowest order decade 85nine hundred steps for each unit volume of fuel dispensed; the unitsoutput head 37 will index the decade 86 two hundred steps for each unitvolume of fuel dispensed; and the tens output head 38 will index thedecade 87 three hundred steps for each unit volume of fuel dispensed. Asa transfer step is generated to index each higher order decade for eachsteps of the adjacent lower order decade, after a gallon of fuel isdelivered, decade counter sections 89, 88 and 87 would he stepped totheir 3, 2" and 9" positions (i.e., the unit volume price established bythe variator setting) and the counter 84 would continuously provide acount of the totalcost of fuel delivered in accordance with theestablished unit volume price.

The counter 84 could be a suitable electromagnetic counter havingcounter wheels for displaying the cost amount of the fuel delivered.Alternatively the counter 84 could be an electronic counter in whichcase suitable indicators 97 and decoder-driver circuits 98 may beprovided to produce a visual readout of the three highest countersections 88-90 for registering the total cost of fuel delivered. Also,if desired a suitable indicator 100 and corresponding decoder-drivercircuit 102 could be provided as shown in broken lines in FIG. 1 forproducing a suitable 10th cent indication.

Three price posting wheels 110-112 are mounted in alignment for postingthe unit volume price established by the variator setting. The wheels110-112 are connected to the selector discs 50-52 respectively such thatthey rotate directly with the discs and are automatically positionedwith the discs to register the established unit volume price settingwhen the selector discs 50-52 are angularly set. In this regard, theprice wheels 110, 111 are 10 position wheels (i.e., bearing indicia 0-9respectively) for indicating the 10 operative positions of the discs 50,51 whereas the price wheel 112 is a l6-position wheel (i.e., bearingindicia 0-15 respectively) for indicating the 16 operative positions ofthe disc 52. Thus, the price-posting wheels are adapted to post theprice through the entire available price range of 000.0 through 159.9which may be established by the variator.

The selector discs 50-52 may be individually set as desired or may asshown in FIG. 1 be interconnected by transfer pinions 120, 121 in themanner of a counter such that the lowest order disc 50 may be rotated ineither direction to establish the unit volume price. More particularlyeach of the discs 50, 51 have a combined locking ring and transfersegment 124 engageable with the pinions 120, 121, respectively and thediscs 51, 52 have gears 126 engageable with the pinions 120, 121 suchthat the disc 51 is indexed one step or 36 for each revolution or 10steps of the disc 50, and the disc 52 is indexed one step or 22.5 foreach revolution or 10 steps of the disc 51.

A suitable programmable price-setting mechanism 130 may also be providedas shown in FIG. 1 for rotating the disc 50 to set the variator. Moreparticularly the price-setting mechanism 130 would be programmed toestablish a price for each of the available fuel products (five in theshown embodiment) and the setting mechanism 130 would be operated by aproduct selector knob 132 to select the appropriate preset price whenthe knob is rotated to operate the blend gearing 24 to select thecorresponding fuel product.

Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment of a computing device of thepresent invention comprises a pulser drum adapted to be driven like thepulser disc 34 of the embodiment of FIGS. I-3, and six banks 152 ofcoaxial selector drums 154-156 mounted on a selector plate 160. The drumbanks 152 are equiangularly spaced around the pulser drum 150, theselector plate is rotatably mounted about the axis of the pulse drum 150to provide for selectively positioning each selector drum bank 152 at acontrol station 154 where its drums 154-156 are adapted to cooperatewith the pulser drum 150 and a pickup assembly 161 to generate threeseparate pulse trains of noncoincident pulses in the manner of theembodiment of FIGS. 1-3. The selector drums 154-156 are also adapted tobe viewed through windows 164-166 respectively in the computer housingsuch that the wheels 154-156 may be provided with indicia to post theprice setting established by the bank of wheels at the control station.

The selector drum 154-156 of each bank have axially spaced pulseselector circles -173 like the pulse selector circles 56-59 of theembodiment of FIGS. 1-3. Also, the pulser drum 150 has three banks 178of four pulse actuator circles 180-183 like the four pulse actuatorcircles 44-47 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 such that the bank 152 ofselector drums at the control station 154 is adapted to selectivelyactivate the three banks 178 of pulse actuator circles 180-183 on thepulser drum to operate the photoelectric pickups 70 of the pickupassembly 161 to generate three separate electrical pulse trains ofnoncoincident pulses. More particularly the three separate photoelectriccells 70 of the pickup assembly 161 are aligned with the three banks 178of pulse actuator circles and a bank of four lamps 39-42 is mountedwithin each drum such that the drum bank at the control station 154 iseffective to selectively activate the pulse actuator circles of thepulser drum 150 to operate the photoelectric cells 70 and therebygenerate three pulse trains of noncoincident pulses in the output leads80-82. The selector drums 154-156 of each selector drum bank are adaptedto be individually angularly set by knobs 194-196 respectively such thateach drum bank is adapted to be presetto establish a unit volume pricewithin the available price range of 000.0 to 159.9 and to be selectivelypositionedat the control station as by the product selector knob 132shown in FIG. 1 when the corresponding product is selected by the knob.

Aswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications,adaptations and variations of the foregoing specific disclosure can bemade without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Iclaim:

1. In a computing device for a fluid-dispensing system having a counteroperable for counting the monetary amount of fluid dispensed andsettable variator means for operating the counter in accordance with thevolume of fluid dispensed and multiple-place unit volume pricingestablished by the setting of the variator means, the improvementwherein the variator means comprises a pulser rotor adapted to berotated in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed, a plurality ofpickups of ascending order for different places respectively of themultiple-place pricing mounted for cooperation with the rotor, the rotorhaving a plurality of pulse actuators arranged in a plurality of coaxialpulse actuatorcircles and to operate the pickups for generating separatepulse trainsof noncoincident pulses respectively for operating thecounter, each pickup having a respective transmission lead fortransmitting its respective pulse train of noncoincident pulses foroperating the counter, and setting means comprising a bank of rotaryselectors of ascending order for the pickups of ascending orderrespectively, each rotary selector having a plurality of pulse selectorsarranged in a plurality of coaxial pulse selector circles operative foractivating pulse actuator circles respectively and to provide aplurality of operative selector angular positions for activatingdifferent ones and groups of the pulse actuator circles for operatingthe respective pickup for establishing the number of pulses generatedthereby for each revolution of the rotor.

2. A computing device according to claim 1 wherein the pulse actuatorsand pulse selectors are light transmitters and wherein the pickups arephotoelectric pickups.

3. A computing device according to claim 2 wherein the pulse selectorsare light apertures.

4. A computing-device according to claim 1 wherein each rotary selectorhas a plurality of successive operative angular positions forestablishing pulse trains for each revolution of the rotor withsuccessively increasing numbers of pulses.

5. A computing device according to claim 1 wherein the pulse actuatorsand pulse selectors are apertures.

6. A computing device according to claim 5 wherein the pulser rotor is adisc and the rotary selectors are discs angularly spaced about the axisof the rotor disc and in overlapping relationship therewith.

7. A computing device according to claim 5 wherein the rotor is a drumand the rotary selectors are drums. v

8. A computing device according to claim 1 comprising a plurality ofsaid banks of rotary selectors and selector means for individuallyselecting the rotary selector banks for activating the pulse actuatorcircles for operating the pickups.

9. A computing device according to claim 1 wherein the rotor is a drum,wherein the bank of rotary selectors is a bank of coaxial drums ofascending order, and wherein the rotor drum has a separate bank ofcoaxial pulse actuator circles for each selector drum order.

10. A computing device according to claim 9 comprising a plurality ofbanks of rotary selector drums and selector means for individuallysetting the selector drum banks for activating the pulse actuatorcircles for operating the pickups.

11. A computing device according to claim 10 wherein the pulse actuatorsand pulse selectors are apertures.

12. A computing device according to claim 10 wherein the banks ofselector drums are mounted on a rotatable support, wherein the selectormeans comprises means for rotating the support to selectively positioneach bank of selector drums in operative association with the pulserdrum for selectively activating the pulse actuator circles for operatingthe pickups;

13. A computing device according to claim 12 wherein the selector drumsbear indicia arranged to provide a visual display of the unit volumeprice corresponding to their angular position.

14. A computing device according to claim 1 comprising price-postingwheels connected to be rotated with the rotary selectors for posting theunit volume price corresponding to the angular positions of the rotaryselectors.

15. A computing device for computing the product of an amountproportional to a rotational input and a multiple-place: multipliercomprising a pulse-actuating device having a rotary input and aplurality of rotatable pulse actuators arranged in a plurality of pulseactuator circles, each coaxial with its axis of rotation, to form aplurality of rotatable pulse actuator sets respectively, a plurality ofpulse-generating means for different places of the multiple-placemultiplier each mounted for cooperation with a plurality of the pulseactuator sets, the plurality of pulse actuator sets cooperating witheachpulsegenerating means being coaxial and the pulse-generating means beingadapted to be operated by each pulse actuator of each pulse actuator setcooperating therewith to generate a corresponding train of noncoincidentpulses, each pulsegenerating means having a respective transmission leadfor transmitting its respective pulse train of noncoincident pulses,multiplier setting means comprising a bank of angularly settable rotaryselectors for the plurality of pulse-generating means respectively, eachrotary selector having a plurality of pulse selectors arranged in aplurality of pulse selector circles coaxial with the axis of the rotaryselector to form a plurality of coaxial pulse selector sets for theplurality of coaxial pulse actuator sets respectively cooperating withthe respective pulsegenerating means, each pulse selector of each rotaryselector being operative for activating the respective pulse actuatorset with respect to the corresponding pulsegenerating means when rotatedto an operative angular position by the rotary selector such that thenumber of pulses in the pulse train of each pulse-generating means iscontrolled by the angular setting of the respective rotary selector, thepulse selectors of each rotary selector being arranged to provide aplurality'of operative selector angular positions for operatingdifferent ones and groups of the pulse actuator sets cooperatingtherewith respectively, and counting means connected to the transmissionleads to be operated by the output pulsetrains of the plurality ofpulse-generating means for counting the product of an amountproportional to the rotation of the rotary input and a multiple-placemultiplier established by the angular settings of the rotary selectors.

16. A computing device according to claim 15 wherein the pulse actuatorsand pulse selectors are light transmitters and wherein the plurality ofpulse-generating means comprise photoelectric pickup means.

17. A computing device according to claim 15 wherein the pulse selectorsare arranged on each rotary selector such that the rotary selector maybe rotated to successive angular positions for establishingcorresponding pulse trains, for a predetermined rotation of the rotaryinput, with successively increasing numbers of pulses.

18. A computing device according to claim 15 wherein the pulse-actuatingdevice comprises a drum having Said pulse actuator sets and the rotaryselectors are rotary drums having .said pulse selector sets.

19. A computing device according to claim 15 wherein all of theplurality of pulse actuator sets are coaxial and wherein the rotaryselectors of the rotary selector bank are coaxial.

20. A computing device according to claim 15 wherein themultiplier-setting means comprises a plurality of said banks of rotaryselectors and selecting means for individually selecting the rotaryselector banks for establishing the multiple-place multiplier.

21. A pulse-generating device operable for generating a number of pulsesequal to the product of an amount proportional to a rotational input anda multiplier comprising a rotary input, a pulse rotor connected to berotated by the rotary input and having a plurality of pulse actuatorsarranged in a plurality of pulse actuator circles coaxial with the rotorto form a plurality of coaxial pulse actuator sets respectively, pickupmeans mounted for cooperation with the pulse actuator sets of the rotor,the pickup means being adapted to be operated by each pulse actuator ofeach pulse actuator set cooperating therewith to generate acorresponding train of noncoincident output pulses as the rotor isrotated by the rotary input, the pickup means having a transmission leadfor transmitting its pulse train of noncoincident pulses and a rotaryselector for the pickup means having a plurality of pulse selectorsarranged in a plurality of pulse selector circles coaxial with therotary selector to form a plurality of coaxial pulse selector sets forthe pulse actuator sets respectively, each pulse selector beingoperative for activating the respective pulse actuator set for operatingthe pickup means when rotated to an operative angular position, thepulse selectors being arranged to provide a plurality of operativeselector angular positions for activating different ones and groups ofthe pulse actuator sets such that the number of pulses generated by thepickup means for each revolution of the pulse rotor is established bythe angular setting of the rotary selector.

22. A pulse-generating device according to claim 21 wherein the pulseactuators and pulse selectors are light apertures, wherein the pulseselectors are adapted to be rotated to an operative position inalignment with the respective pulse actuator set for permitting light topass through the respective pulse actuators and wherein the pickup meanscomprises photoelectric pickup means.

23. A pulse-generating device according to claim 22 wherein the pulserotor is a disc and wherein the rotary selector is a disc mounted inoverlappingrelationship with the rotor disc.

24. A pulse-generating device according to claim 22 wherein the pulserotor is a drum and the rotary selector is a drum.

25. In a computing device for a fluid-dispensing system having a counteroperable for counting the monetary amount of fluid dispensed andsettable variator means for operating the counter in accordance with thevolume of fluid dispensed and multiple-place unit volume pricingestablished by the setting of the variator means, the improvementwherein the variator means comprises a pulser rotor adapted to berotated in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed, a plurality ofpickups of ascending order for different places respectively of themultiple-place pricing mounted for cooperation with the rotor, the rotorhaving a plurality of pulse actuators arranged in a plurality of coaxialpulse actuator circles and to operate the pickups for generatingseparate pulse trains of noncoincident pulses for operating the counter,setting means comprising a bank of rotary selectors of ascending orderfor the pickups 'of ascending order respectively, each rotary selectorhaving a plurality of pulse selectors arranged in a plurality of coaxialpulse selector circles operative for activating pulse actuator circlesrespectively for operating the respective pickup for establishing thenumber of pulses generated thereby for each revolution of the rotor, andtransfer gearing interconnecting the rotary selectors of adjacent lowerand higher order, the pulse actuators being arranged on the rotor andthe pulse selectors being arranged on the rotary selectors such that thelowest order rotary selector may be rotated to angularly set all of therotary selectors.

26. A computing device according to claim 25 wherein the lowest orderrotary selector may be rotated in one angular direction to successiveangular positions to provide for establishing unit volume prices whichsuccessively increase by a fixed increment.

27. A computing device for computing the product of an amountproportional to a rotational input and a multiple-place multipliercomprising a pulse-actuating device having a rotary input and aplurality of rotatable pulse actuators arranged in a plurality of pulseactuator circles, each coaxial with its axis of rotation, to form aplurality of rotatable pulse actuator sets respectively, a plurality ofpulse-generating means for different places of the multiple-placemultiplier each mounted for cooperation with a plurality of the pulseactuator sets, the plurality of pulse actuator sets cooperating witheach pulsegenerating means being coaxial and the pulse-generating meansbeing adapted to be operated by each pulse actuator of each pulseactuator set cooperating therewith to generate a corresponding train ofpulses, multiplier-setting means comprising a bank of angularly settablerotary selectors for the plurality of pulse-generating meansrespectively, each rotary selector having a plurality of pulse selectorsarranged in a plurality of pulse selector circles coaxial with the axisof the rotary selector to form a plurality of coaxial pulse selectorsets for the plurality of coaxial pulse actuator sets respectivelycooperating with the respective pulse-generating means, each pulseselector of each rotary selector being operative for activating therespective pulse actuator set with respect to the correspondingpulse-generating means when rotated to an operative angular position bythe rotary selector such that the number of pulses in the pulse train ofeach pulse-generating means is controlled by the angular setting of therespective rotary selector, and counting means connected to be operatedby the output pulse trains of the plurality of pulse-generating meansfor counting the product of an amount proportional to the rotation ofthe rotary input and a multiple-place multiplier established by theangular settings of the rotary selectors, the multiplier-setting meanscomprising transfer gearing interconnecting the rotary selectors suchthat one of the rotary selectors may be rotated to angularly set all ofthe rotary selectors.

28. A computing device according to claim 27 wherein the pulse actuatorsare arranged in pulse actuator sets and the pulse selectors are arrangedon the rotary selectors such that said one rotary selector may berotated in one angular direction to successive angular positions toprovide for establishing multiple-place multipliers which successivelyincrease by a fixed increment.

29. A computing device for computing the product of an amountproportional to a rotational input and a multiple-place multipliercomprising a pulse-actuating device having a rotary input and aplurality of rotatable pulse actuators arranged in a plurality of pulseactuator circles, each coaxial with its axis of rotation, to form aplurality of rotatable pulse actuators sets respectively, a plurality ofpulse-generating means for different places of the multiple-placemultiplier each mounted for cooperation with a plurality of the pulseactuator sets, the plurality of pulse actuator sets cooperating witheach pulsegenerating means being coaxial and the pulse-generating meansbeing adapted to be operated by each pulse actuator of each pulseactuator set cooperating therewith to generate a corresponding train ofpulses, multiplier-setting means comprising a bank of angularly settablerotary selectors for the plurality of pulse-generating meansrespectively, each rotary selector having a plurality of pulse selectorsarranged in a plurality of pulse selector circles coaxial with the axisof the rotary selector to form a plurality of coaxial pulse selectorsets for the plurality of coaxial pulse actuator sets respectivelycooperating with the respective pulse-generating means, each pulseselector of each rotary selector being operative for activating therespective pulse actuator set with respect to the correspondingpulse-generating means when rotated to an operative angular position bythe rotary selector such that the number of pulses in the pulse train ofeach pulse-generating means is controlled by the angular setting of therespective rotary selector, and counting means connected to be operatedby the output pulse trains of the plurality of pulse-generating meansfor counting the product of an amount proportional to the rotation ofthe rotary input and a multiple-place multiplier established by theangular settings of the rotary selectors, the pulse-actuating devicecomprising rotary disc means having said pulse actuator sets and therotary selectors comprising rotary discs having said pulse selector setsand mounted in overlapping relationship with the rotary disc means suchthat each pulse selector is adaptcd to be rotated to an operativeangular position in overlying association with the respective pulseactuator set.

30. A computing device for computing the product of an amountproportional to a rotational input and a multiple-placemultipliercomprising a pulse-actuating device having a rotary input anda plurality or rotatable pulse actuators arranged in a plurality ofpulse actuator circles, each coaxial with its axis of rotation, to forma plurality of rotatable pulse actuator sets respectively, a pluralityof pulse-generating means for different places of the multiple-placemultiplier each mounted for cooperation with a plurality of the pulseactuator sets, the plurality of pulse actuator sets cooperating witheach pulsegenerating means being coaxial and the pulse-generating meansbeing adapted to be operated by each pulse actuator of each pulseactuator set cooperating therewith to generate a corresponding train ofpulses, multiplier-setting means comprising a bank of angularly settablerotary selectors for the plurality of pulse-generating meansrespectively, each rotary selector having a plurality of pulse selectorsarranged in a plurality of pulse selector circles coaxial with the axisof the rotary selector to form a plurality of coaxial pulse selectorsets for the plurality of coaxial pulse actuator sets respectivelycooperating with the respective pulse-generating means, each pulseselector of each rotary selector being operative for activating therespective pulse actuator set with respect to the correspondingpulse-generating means when rotated to an operative angular position bythe rotary selector such that the number of pulses in the pulse train ofeach pulse-generating means is controlled by the angular setting of therespective rotary selector, and counting means connected to be operatedby the output pulse trains of the plurality of pulse-generating meansfor counting the product of an amount proportional to the rotation ofthe rotary input and a multiple-place multiplier established by theangular settings of the rotary selectors; the multiplier-setting meanscomprising a rotatable support, a plurality of said banks of rotaryselectors, each having a plurality of coaxial rotary selectors, mountedon the rotatable support angularly spaced about the axis thereof, andselecting means for individually selecting the rotary selector banks forestablishing the multiple-place multiplier and comprising means forrotating the rotatable support to selectively position each rotaryselector bank in operative association with the pulse-actuating device.

1. In a computing device for a fluid-dispensing system having a counteroperable for counting the monetary amount of fluid dispensed andsettable variator means for operating the counter in accordance with thevolume of fluid dispensed and multipleplace unit volume pricingestablished by the setting of the variator means, the improvementwherein the variator means comprises a pulser rotor adapted to berotated in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed, a plurality ofpickups of ascending order for different places respectively of themultiple-place pricing mounted for cooperation with the rotor, the rotorhaving a plurality of pulse actuators arranged in a plurality of coaxialpulse actuator circles and to operate the pickups for generatingseparate pulse trains of noncoincident pulses respectively for operatingthe counter, each pickup having a respective transmission lead fortransmitting its respective pulse train of noncoincident pulses foroperating the counter, and setting means comprising a bank of rotaryselectors of ascending order for the pickups of ascending orderrespectively, each rotary selector having a plurality of pulse selectorsarranged in a plurality of coaxial pulse selector circles operative foractivating pulse actuator circles respectively and to provide aplurality of operative selector angular positions for activatingdifferent ones and groups of the pulse actuator circles for operatingthe respective pickup for establishing the number of pulses generatedthereby for each revolution of the rotor.
 2. A computing deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the pulse actuators and pulse selectors arelight transmitters and wherein the pickups are photoelectric pickups. 3.A computing device according to claim 2 wherein the pulse selectors arelight apertures.
 4. A computing device according to claim 1 wherein eachrotary selector has a plurality of successive operative angularpositions for establishing pulse trains for each revolution of the rotorwith successively increasing numbers of pulses.
 5. A computing deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the pulse actuators and pulse selectors areapertures.
 6. A computing device according to claim 5 wherein the pulserrotor is a disc and the rotary selectors are discs angularly spacedabout the axis of the rotor disc and in overlapping relationshiptherewith.
 7. A computing device according to claim 5 wherein the rotoris a drum and the rotary selectors are drums.
 8. A computing deviceaccording to claim 1 comprising a plurality of said banks of rotaryselectors and selector means for individually selecting the rotaryselector banks for activating the pulse actuator circles for operatingthe pickups.
 9. A computing device according to claim 1 wherein therotor is a drum, wherein the bank of rotary selectors is a bank ofcoaxial drums of ascending order, and wherein the rotor drum has aseparate bank of coaxial pulse actuator circles for each selector drumorder.
 10. A computing device according to claim 9 comprising aplurality of banks of rotary selector drums and selector means forindividually setting the selector drum banks for activating the pulseactuator circles for operating the pickups.
 11. A computing deviceaccording to claim 10 wherein the pulse actuators and pulse selectorsare apertures.
 12. A computing device according to claim 10 wherein thebanks of selector drums are mounted on a rotatable support, wherein theselector means comprises means for rotating the support to selectivelyposition each bank of selector drums in operative association with thepulser drum for selectively activating the pulse actuator circles foroperating the pickups.
 13. A computing device according to claim 12wherein the selector drums bear indicia arranged to provide a visualdisplay of the unit volume price corresponding to their angularposition.
 14. A computing device according to claim 1 comprisingprice-posting wheels connected to be rotated with the rotary selectorsfor posting thE unit volume price corresponding to the angular positionsof the rotary selectors.
 15. A computing device for computing theproduct of an amount proportional to a rotational input and amultiple-place multiplier comprising a pulse-actuating device having arotary input and a plurality of rotatable pulse actuators arranged in aplurality of pulse actuator circles, each coaxial with its axis ofrotation, to form a plurality of rotatable pulse actuator setsrespectively, a plurality of pulse-generating means for different placesof the multiple-place multiplier each mounted for cooperation with aplurality of the pulse actuator sets, the plurality of pulse actuatorsets cooperating with each pulse-generating means being coaxial and thepulse-generating means being adapted to be operated by each pulseactuator of each pulse actuator set cooperating therewith to generate acorresponding train of noncoincident pulses, each pulse-generating meanshaving a respective transmission lead for transmitting its respectivepulse train of noncoincident pulses, multiplier setting means comprisinga bank of angularly settable rotary selectors for the plurality ofpulse-generating means respectively, each rotary selector having aplurality of pulse selectors arranged in a plurality of pulse selectorcircles coaxial with the axis of the rotary selector to form a pluralityof coaxial pulse selector sets for the plurality of coaxial pulseactuator sets respectively cooperating with the respectivepulse-generating means, each pulse selector of each rotary selectorbeing operative for activating the respective pulse actuator set withrespect to the corresponding pulse-generating means when rotated to anoperative angular position by the rotary selector such that the numberof pulses in the pulse train of each pulse-generating means iscontrolled by the angular setting of the respective rotary selector, thepulse selectors of each rotary selector being arranged to provide aplurality of operative selector angular positions for operatingdifferent ones and groups of the pulse actuator sets cooperatingtherewith respectively, and counting means connected to the transmissionleads to be operated by the output pulse trains of the plurality ofpulse-generating means for counting the product of an amountproportional to the rotation of the rotary input and a multiple-placemultiplier established by the angular settings of the rotary selectors.16. A computing device according to claim 15 wherein the pulse actuatorsand pulse selectors are light transmitters and wherein the plurality ofpulse-generating means comprise photoelectric pickup means.
 17. Acomputing device according to claim 15 wherein the pulse selectors arearranged on each rotary selector such that the rotary selector may berotated to successive angular positions for establishing correspondingpulse trains, for a predetermined rotation of the rotary input, withsuccessively increasing numbers of pulses.
 18. A computing deviceaccording to claim 15 wherein the pulse-actuating device comprises adrum having said pulse actuator sets and the rotary selectors are rotarydrums having said pulse selector sets.
 19. A computing device accordingto claim 15 wherein all of the plurality of pulse actuator sets arecoaxial and wherein the rotary selectors of the rotary selector bank arecoaxial.
 20. A computing device according to claim 15 wherein themultiplier-setting means comprises a plurality of said banks of rotaryselectors and selecting means for individually selecting the rotaryselector banks for establishing the multiple-place multiplier.
 21. Apulse-generating device operable for generating a number of pulses equalto the product of an amount proportional to a rotational input and amultiplier comprising a rotary input, a pulse rotor connected to berotated by the rotary input and having a plurality of pulse actuatorsarranged in a plurality of pulse actuator circles coaxial with the rotorto form a pluralIty of coaxial pulse actuator sets respectively, pickupmeans mounted for cooperation with the pulse actuator sets of the rotor,the pickup means being adapted to be operated by each pulse actuator ofeach pulse actuator set cooperating therewith to generate acorresponding train of noncoincident output pulses as the rotor isrotated by the rotary input, the pickup means having a transmission leadfor transmitting its pulse train of noncoincident pulses and a rotaryselector for the pickup means having a plurality of pulse selectorsarranged in a plurality of pulse selector circles coaxial with therotary selector to form a plurality of coaxial pulse selector sets forthe pulse actuator sets respectively, each pulse selector beingoperative for activating the respective pulse actuator set for operatingthe pickup means when rotated to an operative angular position, thepulse selectors being arranged to provide a plurality of operativeselector angular positions for activating different ones and groups ofthe pulse actuator sets such that the number of pulses generated by thepickup means for each revolution of the pulse rotor is established bythe angular setting of the rotary selector.
 22. A pulse-generatingdevice according to claim 21 wherein the pulse actuators and pulseselectors are light apertures, wherein the pulse selectors are adaptedto be rotated to an operative position in alignment with the respectivepulse actuator set for permitting light to pass through the respectivepulse actuators and wherein the pickup means comprises photoelectricpickup means.
 23. A pulse-generating device according to claim 22wherein the pulse rotor is a disc and wherein the rotary selector is adisc mounted in overlapping relationship with the rotor disc.
 24. Apulse-generating device according to claim 22 wherein the pulse rotor isa drum and the rotary selector is a drum.
 25. In a computing device fora fluid-dispensing system having a counter operable for counting themonetary amount of fluid dispensed and settable variator means foroperating the counter in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensedand multiple-place unit volume pricing established by the setting of thevariator means, the improvement wherein the variator means comprises apulser rotor adapted to be rotated in accordance with the volume offluid dispensed, a plurality of pickups of ascending order for differentplaces respectively of the multiple-place pricing mounted forcooperation with the rotor, the rotor having a plurality of pulseactuators arranged in a plurality of coaxial pulse actuator circles andto operate the pickups for generating separate pulse trains ofnoncoincident pulses for operating the counter, setting means comprisinga bank of rotary selectors of ascending order for the pickups ofascending order respectively, each rotary selector having a plurality ofpulse selectors arranged in a plurality of coaxial pulse selectorcircles operative for activating pulse actuator circles respectively foroperating the respective pickup for establishing the number of pulsesgenerated thereby for each revolution of the rotor, and transfer gearinginterconnecting the rotary selectors of adjacent lower and higher order,the pulse actuators being arranged on the rotor and the pulse selectorsbeing arranged on the rotary selectors such that the lowest order rotaryselector may be rotated to angularly set all of the rotary selectors.26. A computing device according to claim 25 wherein the lowest orderrotary selector may be rotated in one angular direction to successiveangular positions to provide for establishing unit volume prices whichsuccessively increase by a fixed increment.
 27. A computing device forcomputing the product of an amount proportional to a rotational inputand a multiple-place multiplier comprising a pulse-actuating devicehaving a rotary input and a plurality of rotatable pulse actuatorsarranged in a plurality of pulse actuator circles, each coaxial with itsaxis oF rotation, to form a plurality of rotatable pulse actuator setsrespectively, a plurality of pulse-generating means for different placesof the multiple-place multiplier each mounted for cooperation with aplurality of the pulse actuator sets, the plurality of pulse actuatorsets cooperating with each pulse-generating means being coaxial and thepulse-generating means being adapted to be operated by each pulseactuator of each pulse actuator set cooperating therewith to generate acorresponding train of pulses, multiplier-setting means comprising abank of angularly settable rotary selectors for the plurality ofpulse-generating means respectively, each rotary selector having aplurality of pulse selectors arranged in a plurality of pulse selectorcircles coaxial with the axis of the rotary selector to form a pluralityof coaxial pulse selector sets for the plurality of coaxial pulseactuator sets respectively cooperating with the respectivepulse-generating means, each pulse selector of each rotary selectorbeing operative for activating the respective pulse actuator set withrespect to the corresponding pulse-generating means when rotated to anoperative angular position by the rotary selector such that the numberof pulses in the pulse train of each pulse-generating means iscontrolled by the angular setting of the respective rotary selector, andcounting means connected to be operated by the output pulse trains ofthe plurality of pulse-generating means for counting the product of anamount proportional to the rotation of the rotary input and amultiple-place multiplier established by the angular settings of therotary selectors, the multiplier-setting means comprising transfergearing interconnecting the rotary selectors such that one of the rotaryselectors may be rotated to angularly set all of the rotary selectors.28. A computing device according to claim 27 wherein the pulse actuatorsare arranged in pulse actuator sets and the pulse selectors are arrangedon the rotary selectors such that said one rotary selector may berotated in one angular direction to successive angular positions toprovide for establishing multiple-place multipliers which successivelyincrease by a fixed increment.
 29. A computing device for computing theproduct of an amount proportional to a rotational input and amultiple-place multiplier comprising a pulse-actuating device having arotary input and a plurality of rotatable pulse actuators arranged in aplurality of pulse actuator circles, each coaxial with its axis ofrotation, to form a plurality of rotatable pulse actuators setsrespectively, a plurality of pulse-generating means for different placesof the multiple-place multiplier each mounted for cooperation with aplurality of the pulse actuator sets, the plurality of pulse actuatorsets cooperating with each pulse-generating means being coaxial and thepulse-generating means being adapted to be operated by each pulseactuator of each pulse actuator set cooperating therewith to generate acorresponding train of pulses, multiplier-setting means comprising abank of angularly settable rotary selectors for the plurality ofpulse-generating means respectively, each rotary selector having aplurality of pulse selectors arranged in a plurality of pulse selectorcircles coaxial with the axis of the rotary selector to form a pluralityof coaxial pulse selector sets for the plurality of coaxial pulseactuator sets respectively cooperating with the respectivepulse-generating means, each pulse selector of each rotary selectorbeing operative for activating the respective pulse actuator set withrespect to the corresponding pulse-generating means when rotated to anoperative angular position by the rotary selector such that the numberof pulses in the pulse train of each pulse-generating means iscontrolled by the angular setting of the respective rotary selector, andcounting means connected to be operated by the output pulse trains ofthe plurality of pulse-generating means for countiNg the product of anamount proportional to the rotation of the rotary input and amultiple-place multiplier established by the angular settings of therotary selectors, the pulse-actuating device comprising rotary discmeans having said pulse actuator sets and the rotary selectorscomprising rotary discs having said pulse selector sets and mounted inoverlapping relationship with the rotary disc means such that each pulseselector is adapted to be rotated to an operative angular position inoverlying association with the respective pulse actuator set.
 30. Acomputing device for computing the product of an amount proportional toa rotational input and a multiple-place multiplier comprising apulse-actuating device having a rotary input and a plurality orrotatable pulse actuators arranged in a plurality of pulse actuatorcircles, each coaxial with its axis of rotation, to form a plurality ofrotatable pulse actuator sets respectively, a plurality ofpulse-generating means for different places of the multiple-placemultiplier each mounted for cooperation with a plurality of the pulseactuator sets, the plurality of pulse actuator sets cooperating witheach pulse-generating means being coaxial and the pulse-generating meansbeing adapted to be operated by each pulse actuator of each pulseactuator set cooperating therewith to generate a corresponding train ofpulses, multiplier-setting means comprising a bank of angularly settablerotary selectors for the plurality of pulse-generating meansrespectively, each rotary selector having a plurality of pulse selectorsarranged in a plurality of pulse selector circles coaxial with the axisof the rotary selector to form a plurality of coaxial pulse selectorsets for the plurality of coaxial pulse actuator sets respectivelycooperating with the respective pulse-generating means, each pulseselector of each rotary selector being operative for activating therespective pulse actuator set with respect to the correspondingpulse-generating means when rotated to an operative angular position bythe rotary selector such that the number of pulses in the pulse train ofeach pulse-generating means is controlled by the angular setting of therespective rotary selector, and counting means connected to be operatedby the output pulse trains of the plurality of pulse-generating meansfor counting the product of an amount proportional to the rotation ofthe rotary input and a multiple-place multiplier established by theangular settings of the rotary selectors; the multiplier-setting meanscomprising a rotatable support, a plurality of said banks of rotaryselectors, each having a plurality of coaxial rotary selectors, mountedon the rotatable support angularly spaced about the axis thereof, andselecting means for individually selecting the rotary selector banks forestablishing the multiple-place multiplier and comprising means forrotating the rotatable support to selectively position each rotaryselector bank in operative association with the pulse-actuating device.